A group of would-be vandals' failed bid to smash up an Ontario restaurant is an easy nominee for 'funniest crime attempt of the month' after security camera footage of the clumsy effort went viral this weekend.

The video shows a group of three vandals outside of The Counter Restaurant on Front Street in Trenton, at around 10:45 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12.

After kicking a large standing planter a few times, one of the three attempts to lift the object and throw it through the restaurant window. However, another member of the group appears to intervene, resulting in the would-be window smasher wiping out and getting covered in soil.

The Quinte West OPP have been notified of an attempted vandalism that didn’t end as intended. A suspect tries to throw a planter through a window at a Quinte West business. pic.twitter.com/2uzKuw5xMB

— Tim Durkin (@QuinteDurkin) January 20, 2024

The clip has the internet chuckling over the bumbling behaviour, including a few mentions of a not-so-old adage about reaping the rewards of stupid decisions.

pic.twitter.com/sFAV3mxScL

— John Hillier (@JohnMHillier) January 21, 2024

Another commenter made light of the payoff moment where the man lies defeated in the snow, covered in potting soil.

He soiled himself…

— chris wood 🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@super64isdown) January 20, 2024

Many other commenters suggest that, however absurd it may seem, this is really just another Friday night in Belleville/Trenton.

Ahhh. Only in Trenton. I see the good ole boys never change.

— Jenn “Clutch” Kaine (@JennKaine) January 20, 2024

The Quinte West OPP is currently investigating the bizarre incident.